The new buzz of the NBA Draft, 7-5, 300-pound Russian center Pavel Podkozline, will work out for the Knicks on Friday, according to sources.

The 18-year-old, who played sparingly for Italy’s Varese, has skyrocketed into the middle of the lottery after a sensational workout last Friday before 200 NBA personnel men at Chicago’s pre-draft camp. Every team was represented, and Knicks GM Scott Layden interviewed the Siberian on Saturday.

With his size and mobility, Podkozline now is projected as a definite top-10 pick and could be gone before the Knicks select at No. 9 on June 26. Nuggets GM Kiki Vandeweghe said he’d even consider taking him at No. 3 over Carmelo Anthony.

Podkozline fell below the radar before Chicago because of his limited play as a backup to Shawnelle Scott. After Scott left their Italian team in February, a new coach took over and benched the Russian.

Podkozline conducted his first private workout yesterday with Memphis. According to his agent, Justin Zanik, the Knicks were among six teams who scouted him most. Even if Podkozline doesn’t drop to No. 9, his stunning emergence could lead to center Chris Kaman or Mike Sweetney falling there. The Knicks also will work out Polish 6-11 small forward Maciej Lampe.

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Yesterday the Knicks announced Allan Houston had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee to clean out loose cartilage. He’ll be on crutches for six weeks but will be ready well before training camp. It was Houston’s first knee procedure. Houston was feeling some discomfort this offseason, prompting the decision to do the scope.